City: Chalmette, LA

Category: Tours & Attractions

Telephone: (504) 281-0510

Address: 8606 St. Bernard Highway

Description: The Chalmette unit preserves one of the country’s most significant battle sites, which saw a decisive American victory over the British at the end of the War of 1812. Adjacent to the battlefield is the Chalmette National Cemetery. Take a self-guided tour, which begins at the visitor center, where exhibits and an audiovisual program explains the importance of the battle. Next, follow the 1.5-mile tour road that features six stops incorporating various features of the battlefield. A free brochure tells about the significance of each stop.Two additional structures in the park worth noting are the Chalmette Monument and Beauregard House. The cornerstone of the monument, dedicated to the American victory, was laid in January 1840 shortly after Andrew Jackson visited here to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the battle. Construction did not begin until 1855 and was completed in 1908. The Beauregard House, built 18 years after the battle, is a beautiful example of French-Louisiana architecture and is named for its last private owner, Judge René Beauregard.